Channel Zero - 2x01 "This Isn't Real" - Episode Discussion (Spoilers)
Posted Sep 20, 2017, 4:36 PM UTC
79158
I don't get why people are saying this was bad. I thought the suspense-building was excellent, with only Room 3 being a little on the cheesy side. Even though the actual rooms from the pasta aren't included, I think these rooms fit the underlying theme of this series, that memories can break you if used against you. I thought the rooms in the actual pasta were pretty random, almost as if each separate one was a separate story. The rooms tie into Margot's remorse for losing her father, which I thought they created pretty well.
Remember that it can't follow the original exactly. For its own story based on the loose concept of the NoEnd House, it's very good.
42
I thought this was fantastic, the set design was fantastic and some stunning long takes.
27
I know, right? I loved the single shot of Margot entering her house and looking at the couch where her father died, then switching to the TV.
15
This is the same exact feeling that Episode 1 of the first season (Candle Cove storyline) had. You have no idea what the hell is going on and it's somewhat like the creepypasta but not enough that you know what's going to happen.
Season 1 threw so many curves/twist that I have no idea why people are making assumptions so early. I had no idea what was going on with Candle Cove until the second to last episode of the season.
16
I honestly think this TV series does NoEnd and Channel Zero better than the pastas. The pastas are still good but are trying to make them feel real while the TV show is trying to make them into serious and horrifying narrative. Like the first room in the pasta is a lame scary room and wouldn't fit into the overall theme of the series being about memories, identity and heartache.
8
I totally agree, there has to be room for interpretation in adaptation
2
only Room 3 being a little on the cheesy side
Didn't she mention that she used to have nightmares like that though?
7
Yeah, it was just the execution of it.
1
Come on, I would be so pumped to see the room with the little girl and the devil and how it would be adapted!
5
The House Father was the best addition, however, this season was nothing like NoEnd House.
At the beginning, I expected JT to be the equivalent of Peter or something. Then Prettyface Monogamist shows up. Then there's no Management.
Obviously I kept watching because I was still interested; it doesn't have to be a carbon copy of the original story to be good.
But the demon slash girl, doppelganger, or forest rooms should have been included.
1
I liked how the rooms of the creepy pasta were stages of addiction, but I can understand why it was changed. The show seems more broad and capable of adapting to each person, which is better for television I guess.
1
I was really happy with how the episode turned out. The biggest concern I had was how well a story that depended a lot on internal reactions would translate to this medium. But I think they did a great job conveying a lot of of it simply with camera angles and sound. Plus they had some really beautiful designs in general.
I also liked how much more aware backpack guy was at the start. Not really broadcasting it, but even just hanging back when people were quite literally sticking their faces into possibly dangerous things. It was like one guy who knew he was actually in a setting where horror stories can be real amid a group that isn't aware.
32
I feel like backpack guy has been in it before and will come back into play -maybe as the wise experienced no-end house pro.
21
I got the feeling he left and someone he cared for went into room 6 and he never saw them again, and is now trying to either stop the house or get them back.
10
Oooo that's good. I like that hero theory. Right now I need a hero in this show. :O
3
Yeah the preview for the season showed a quick clip of him so that's not the last we've seen of him, but you're right, his whole demeanor showed that he knew more than he was letting on.
3
Between Candle Cove and this Pilot the cinematography in this series has been stellar. There's something really beautiful about the way it's shot.
There's a subtlety to the directing that you must appreciate as well. It may not have outright scares, or perhaps I'm not easy to scare, but it's excellent at conveying an eerie, menacing tone.
14
I really enjoyed the first episode and like that they're still going for atmosphere over simple jump scares. The episode wasn't really scary, but I don't mind that too much. Season 1 and this season have pretty great cinematography.
I was expecting each episode to be each room, but I think it's smart that they didn't go that route. Limiting an hour of storytelling to a single room wouldn't be as dynamic. Interesting to see what twists and turns will take place.
30
Yeah, same here on thinking each room would be an episode. I guess the first 5 rooms are more of a "test" to see if a person will give up and run from their fears/regrets or push on - and then the 6th room is where the psychological torture really takes place.
19
Yeah, and we saw her walk into the 6th "room" in her house where her dad popped up.
10
I think they're going to keep going back into the house or there are actually more rooms than 6, because it looks like they go back into the same rooms in the trailers.
7
or there are actually more rooms than 6
Well, it is called "No End House" for a reason.
5
Oh maaan this is way better than I expected. Like a lot of people here, I was expecting each episode to be a separate room, but when by the end of the episode they were already in what's supposed to be the last room, it opens infinite possibilities for what future episodes will hold. Like...even though the rooms here deviated a lot from the original story, you kinda had an idea of what to expect, but now they're alREADY done with that?? So I have no idea what to expect next (other than more psychological torment haha). I'm really excited to see what they do with this. Not to mention the production value and camera work and costume design and sound design and everything. I though everything about it was brilliant.
27
i assume we will get flashbacks throughout the season, similar to the first, and we will see others experiences in the house.
4
That’d be really cool too actually, seeing how the house treats different people differently... Oof, whatever happens, I’m hyped 🤘
4
yeah! i just finished watching Candle Cove for the first time and it was absolutely amazing. i’m super excited to see where this season goes.
2
I liked it and was actually hoping it would not follow the creepypasta exactly. The whole idea of the show is to take the story and expand on it, do something different with it. If it focused on the exact same character and situations it wouldn't be very inventive.
25
That is a damn strong premiere. Enough going on to be individually interesting as well as doing a lot of setting up for the rest of the show. Wish the director was doing his AMA today so I could tell him he fucking nailed it.
24
He checks his reddit semi regularly. I am sure you can drop him a line and he would appreciate it.
6
I enjoyed it overall and loved the hallway scene. Thought it was easily the scariest room.
23
I was dying to know what the other girl saw in that room. I'm assuming it changes to each person's deepest fear.
7
I wonder if we'll get to see what the others saw in the rooms?
13
I hope so. I know it focuses on Margot but it seems like Jules is also in the room with her currently so I hope we see more about the rest of the house.
8
They way we saw her go through to 6, i'm hoping we see each go through to where they ended up, and maybe the last or last two back together.
2
Does that mean we'll see that JD guy attacked by a horde of puppies? Lol
2
I have a little pet fan theory that all the horror we're going to see in this show is because, in the Channel Zero world, Eddie wasn't one of a kind. I think that there are more people like Eddie in the world, and that in this case the 'Unknown Artist' of the No End House didn't make a TV series that infected children's minds, but rather a house that slowly ate the minds of young adults.
21
Did they mention how old the house is? Perhaps Margot's grief and guilt created it
3
The two guys said it hadn't been in the States in 6 years. Margot's friend mentioned that her dad died a little over a year ago.
10
Also, a reminder that Nick Antosca said in an interview that each season was going to have separate directors and their own different feel. He said that No-End House is more like a John Carpenteresque "suburban nightmare" story.
20
I love that they use 1 director per season, makes it feel like a modestly budgeted horror movie
16
Awesome to hear Glass Animals getting some air time
18
As soon as I heard that opening I was like, “damn, Gooey is like the perfect song for this mood.”
11
I almost couldn't believe my ears.
6
dat opening chord
2
What song was that in the first room? Shazam gave me nothing.
15
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QbRac39bGh0
Ghost That Never Walked, written by William Jerome and performed by Billy Murray.
5
Thank you!
2
I just listened to it again on YouTube, it is super creepy.
2
I thought that was potentially the best episode of the series thus far, the directing this year is top notch.
14
yo this is on some house of leaves shit yo
14
had the same thought!
6
i'm really really impressed by the quality jump here. i liked season 1, thought the kids were mostly fine and some of the more intense scenes really got to me. but this is on another level. i'm a sucker for long takes, so it might just be me.
also: where in the hell are they gonna take this season? they did the whole creepypasta in one episode, and now they have all the room ever to do something really creative and scary. strapped in for sure.
14
where in the hell are they gonna take this season?
A part of me feels each character will have an episode, since we just saw her, but they spent time building the others a good deal.
5
i like that idea a lot! that's an interesting way to go since the house is extremely personal.
3
Well the creepy pasta had more than 6 rooms I believe
They're only in room six, there's much more to come
1
Well the creepy pasta had more than 6 rooms I believe
They're only in room six, there's much more to come
1
Well the creepy pasta had more than 6 rooms I believe
They're only in room six, there's much more to come
1
I absolutely loved season 1, and although I'm not familiar with the No-End House story this first episode was quite promising.
Between this and the next season of Stranger Things, I am SO ready for Halloween!
12
Loved it!! I can tell it's one that you'll have to pay close attention. First episode kind of creeped me out, which the first season did not at all. Not that it was bad, but I expected more. And I love John Carroll Lynch. He certainly likes to do weird.
12
Yes, from the first episode and I already like the second season more. Hope they can keep it up this way for the next episodes too.
5
I must say, as much as I don’t like season 1, this one seems genuinely scary and great. All the rooms serve the story progression somehow. No more random spooky nonsense, at least so far...;p The actors are pretty good so far which again, I cannot say about season 1.
11
Although it deviated very heavily from the plot of the original, I really like how the house was designed. It reminded me of a creepy art exhibition, which provided a lot of interesting imagery, especially with how it utilized bright colors. I must admit, I'm a little disappointed by how quickly they sped through the other rooms to get right to the false escape aspect of the story, but I'm excited to see where the rest of this goes.
10
Room 1: We know your breaking point.
Room 2: We know your secrets.
Room 3: We know your fears.
Room 4: We know your memories.
Room 5: We know your regrets.
Room 6: We know your soul.
Nice.
Thanks, I just wanted to point out how the rooms affected each character psyc--
WHAT.
This is awesome! Now I'm giddy thinking that Nick Antosca possibly read my comments in this thread.
Also, how funny must it be reading this discussion when you're one of the only ones who actually knows what happens next.
My boy.
Keep up the good work. CZ is my favorite show on television right now.
Hey just wanted to let you know I loved the first season, loved this episode, and am excited to see where it goes!
So cool to see you interacting with us viewers!